Anger and frustration are normal emotions to feel, but acting on these emotions can prove to be dangerous behind the wheel. Road rage accidents are common and often result in substantial damage and injury.
If you’re the victim of a road rage collision, The Joel Bieber Firm is ready to help you.
What Is Road Rage?
At one point or another, everyone gets angry behind the wheel. However, road rage takes this anger to a different level.
What causes road rage? Road rage caused when an individual becomes enraged or aggressive while driving. Drivers tend to express their extreme anger in different ways, including:
- Verbal Expression: Yelling and cursing
- Physical Acts: Slamming steering wheels, making obscene or rude gestures
- Intimidating Tactics: Honking the horn, flashing headlights, throwing objects at other drivers
- Unsafe Driving Maneuvers: Tailgating, cutting off other drivers, running drivers off the road
Many different circumstances can cause drivers to feel road rage. Most commonly, drivers experience road rage and act out on it because of the following factors:
- Heavy and slow-moving traffic
- Running behind schedule
- Selfishness
- Lack of care for others
- High-stress levels
- Displaced anger
While most road rage incidents only shake up other drivers, they can also take a turn for the worse and result in terrible accidents and devastating injuries.
Common Road Rage Driving Behaviors
Road rage takes on many forms. Sometimes, enraged drivers simply irritate others and don’t actually cause anyone harm. However, some drivers take it to an extreme and either negligently or intentionally engage in risky driving behaviors.
Some of the most common and dangerous road rage behaviors include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield
- Slamming on brakes
- Driving aggressively
- Weaving in and out of traffic
Any of these behaviors, especially when combined with others, can result in road rage accidents. If you’re involved in an accident after a road rage incident, it’s best to speak to a knowledgeable car accident attorney for advice.
Liability for a Collision Caused by Road Rage
The concept of liability is simple: the person who caused your accident is liable. However, while the idea may be simple, successfully establishing liability can be challenging and complex.
While some road rage accidents are caused by intentional actions, most are based on negligence. Proving a driver was negligent — and therefore liable — relies on satisfying the following elements of negligence:
- Duty: The driver had a duty to drive safely and responsibly
- Breach: The driver breached their duty by engaging in aggressive driving behaviors
- Causation: The driver’s actions caused your accident
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the driver’s actions
Depending on the details of your accident, proving liability may be difficult.
For example, liability for rear-end collisions is frequently tough to prove, as the finger is usually pointed at the driver in the rear. Still, in some cases, the front driver’s road rage was the true cause of the accident. A case like this requires strong evidence to prove the front driver was at fault.
While road rage liability can pose some challenges, it’s no match for an experienced car accident lawyer. Liability is one of the most important parts of an accident claim. A personal injury attorney can help you prove the other driver’s fault in an effort to obtain a fair outcome.
Potential Compensation for Accidents
When you’re involved in a road rage accident that isn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial burdens on your own. Collecting damages could help you deal with the monetary repercussions of a road rage accident.
The amount of damages you might be entitled to receive depends on your case, but the total could include:
- Coverage for past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of earning potential
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Additionally, some cases may be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are available if a defendant’s actions go beyond negligence and are instead deemed intentional, malicious, or reckless.
Understanding how much your case is worth is critical to pursuing fair compensation. A car accident attorney can examine several factors to calculate the value of your claim and help you obtain a beneficial result.
What to Do After a Road Rage Accidents Collision
If you find yourself in a collision caused by road rage, following certain steps can protect your right to future compensation.
- Call 911: Request law enforcement assistance and medical aid if you or someone else suffers injury
- Remain on the Scene: Even if the responsible party flees, do not chase after them or leave
- Gather Evidence, if Possible: If you’re able, take photos and videos and speak to witnesses to begin collecting valuable evidence
- Get Medical Attention: Allow EMTs to render aid and then follow up with an emergency room or primary care physician visit, even if you don’t think you suffered injuries
- Report Your Accident: Contact your car insurance company to inform them of your collision
- Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer: Contact an attorney to receive valuable guidance and determine what steps to take following your accident
If another driver’s road rage causes your accident, don’t worry. Following these recommendations and seeking assistance from a qualified car accident attorney can help get you on the path to financial recovery.
A Qualified Attorney Can Help You Navigate Your Claim
The lawyers at The Joel Bieber Firm have seen it all in their many years of experience. With our firm, you can feel confident knowing we will do everything possible to get you the favorable outcome you deserve. After a road rage accident, contact us to request a complimentary consultation.
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